Assembly candidate Allen gets a half-million-dollar boost in final days of campaign

Two independent expenditure committees reported they spent a combined $490,500 to produce television ads supporting Michael Allen's bid for the 10th Assembly District seat.

With the last-minute tsunami of campaign cash reported last week, Allen has received more than $700,000 in support from independent expenditure committees. His latest contributions were funded by police officers, consumer attorneys, an environmental organization and unions representing teachers and nurses.

Allen, who represents the 7th Assembly District, recently moved to San Rafael so he could run for the 10th Assembly District seat after his 7th Assembly District was splintered by redistricting.

His opponent, San Rafael Councilman Marc Levine, has received more than $250,000 in support from just two independent expenditure committees. All but $7,178 came from a committee that is funded by two large agricultural associations: the Western Growers Association and California Citrus Mutual. On Tuesday, the Western Growers made a $3,900 direct contribution to Levine's campaign, following a $1,500 contribution by California Citrus Mutual last week.

The committees supporting both sides have used their money to pay for mailers attacking their candidate's opponent.

"Sacramento special interests are running a deceptive campaign, spending unprecedented sums to try to bury a local councilman," Levine said. "It won't work. Marin and Sonoma voters will look into the facts for themselves."

Allen said, "If teachers and firefighters and police are considered special interests, then I'm proud of the fact I've got their support — because I support education and God knows I support public safety."

The two independent expenditure committees giving Allen a ninth-inning boost are the Peace Officers Research Association of California, which spent $252,500, and the California Alliance, that bills itself as "a coalition of consumer attorneys and conservationists," which spent $238,000. Consumer attorneys have contributed about $300,000 to the California Alliance, while the California League of Conservation Voters has contributed about $263,000 to the committee.

David Allgood, the league's political director, said, "We base our decision, particularly with incumbents, on what their record has been. Mike Allen has been terrific on the environment. He's been terrific on consumer issues. We stand by our friends."

Allgood said the league was disturbed by Levine's willingness to attend a campaign kick-off for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney in San Rafael earlier this year and his support by the Western Growers.

"We see the growers active in races all around California, including urban races in Southern California," Allgood said, "and it's often for people who are opposing the best environmental choice."